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The Sun, geomagnetic polarity transitions, and possible biospheric effects: review and illustrating model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 July 2009

Karl-Heinz Glassmeier ,
Otto Richter ,
Joachim Vogt ,
Petra Möbus  and
Antje Schwalb
Karl-Heinz Glassmeier
Affiliation:
Institut für Geophysik und extraterrestrische Physik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstrasse 3, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung, Max-Planck-Strasse 2, D-37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany e-mail: kh.glassmeier@tu-bs.de
Otto Richter
Affiliation:
Institut für Geoökologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Langer Kamp 19c, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
Joachim Vogt
Affiliation:
School of Engineering and Science, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, D-28759 Bremen
Petra Möbus
Affiliation:
Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institut, Bundesallee 50, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany
Antje Schwalb
Affiliation:
Institut für Umweltgeologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Pockelsstrasse 3, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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Abstract

The Earth is embedded in the solar wind, this ever-streaming extremely tenuous ionized gas emanating from the Sun. It is the geomagnetic field which inhibits the solar wind plasma to directly impinge upon the terrestrial atmosphere. It is also the geomagnetic field which moderates and controls the entry of energetic particles of cosmic and solar origin into the atmosphere. During geomagnetic polarity transitions the terrestrial magnetic field decays down to about 10% of its current value. Also, the magnetic field topology changes from a dipole dominated structure to a multipole dominated topology. What happens to the Earth system during such a polarity transition, that is, during episodes of a weak transition field? Which modifications of the configuration of the terrestrial magnetosphere can be expected? Is there any influence on the atmosphere from the intensified particle bombardment? What are the possible effects on the biosphere? Is a polarity transition another example of a cosmic cataclysm? A review is provided on the current understanding of the problem. A first, illustrating model is also discussed to outline the complexity of any biospheric reaction on polarity transitions.

Keywords

energetic particlesgeomagnetic fieldozone holeozonospherepaleomagnetospherephytoplanktonpolarity transitionsolar windSunUV-B stress

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 8 , Special Issue 3: Special issue Papers from ESLAB 2008 Symposium Cosmic Cataclysms and Life , July 2009 , pp. 147 - 159
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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